Poweroid 1202

Computer manufacturers are starting to realise that tempting us with the latest and greatest technology is only half the battle.

Increasingly, people are taking the design and look of a PC into consideration before buying.

The Poweroid 1202 is a very powerful computer packed into an exquisite metallic case with an equally eye-catching monitor, keyboard and mouse.

The first thing you'll notice is how big it is. The system case measures almost 2ft in height and weighs about the same as a bag of cement.

However, we're not talking about a notebook PC and it's unlikely that you'll be moving the PC case around once you've given it a home.

The upside of that size is that the system will stay cooler and run more reliably, though you may want to run a tape measure over your desk to make sure it is going to fit.

The 1202 shuns the latest 3GHz Pentium 4 processor, opting for well thought out innards and a specification to die for.

The Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor is very quick and, coupled with 512MB of Rambus memory, produced excellent results in our system tests.

Although a 3GHz PC with the same kind of memory should perform better, when you consider how fast these PCs can operate we're talking mere milliseconds difference for a lot more pounds.

A PC of this power should be excellent for memory-munching tasks such as video and audio editing.

The enormous 120GB hard disk will swallow large files with ease while an incredible 10 USB 2 and three FireWire ports will allow owners of digital cameras, scanners and the like to stay connected.

Computers this powerful are often used for games and the 1202 is well suited to the task.

The 128MB ATI Radeon 9700 Pro graphics card offers gamers the very best in PC graphics.

It has two DVI connectors and a TV-out socket. The on-board 5.1 sound chip isn't as good as the best dedicated sound cards, such as the Creative Audigy, but it copes with soundtracks and games.

The Creative Inspire 5300 speakers are very good. DVD-Rom and CD-RW drives are concealed behind a locking metal door.

The sleek, black, 17in flat-panel Iiyama monitor not only looks the part but can be rotated to view documents in portrait mode and offers four additional USB ports.

Upgrading may seem a long way off for a PC this comprehensively specified, but it has the potential if need be.

There are two 5.25in drive bays and five internal 3.5in bays for extra hard disks.

Memory can be added into two vacant memory slots. Despite four free PCI slots, only one can be used without removing some USB ports.

Bundled software includes Windows XP Home, Star Office 5.2 and a variety of utility applications.

For £1,762 you're paying a lot of money, but you're getting a top-notch PC with enough inside to make you the talk of the town for a couple of months at least.

The 12-month parts and labour warranty affords some extra peace of mind.

We would have liked to see some extra memory or a dedicated sound card, but despite our criticisms it is a desirable PC anybody would be pleased to own.

DETAILS
Price: £1,762

Contact: Poweroid 0870 220 0444
www.poweroid.co.uk